HRM and the province have agreed on some components for the proposed convention centre, but not the property tax issue.
Halifax regional council spent another two hours in a secret meeting yesterday to hash out another response from the province.
“For the most part we’re fairly close on things. There are a few issues that are still in negotiations, but by far we have made some agreed-upon points,” Mayor Peter Kelly said after the meeting ended.
The two sides are coming to terms with the $159-million project, with no commitment yet from the federal government. The province asked HRM to exempt the convention centre from paying property taxes.
“We want to ensure it’s a deal that’s fair to our taxpayers, which happens to be their taxpayers as well,” Kelly said. “We’re asking for an equal partnership and … we are looking for them to acknowledge that equal partnership.”
Kelly added the benefits of the project should be evenly split.
“There is a movement back and forth. We’re not there yet, but we’re striving to negotiate and move forward.”
HRM council voted 22-2 to support the project early last month and has been negotiating in private ever since.
